Hair straightening method



Jan. 1, 1935. A, 1 THOMAS r- T AL 1,986,689

HAIR STRAIGHTENING METHOD Filed Sept. 23, 1953 INVENToRs lTNEssl-:sJZrZhuwLT/wmaa 1.31311. mus

PatenteclJan. 1, 1935 n i,

` HAIR STRAIGHTENING oinaslifiljrent'onyandllily Ellis,Princeton,1511.1.A 1 t Application September 23, 1933, Serial Y @PATENT-om@fii METHOD."

This invention rentes to a. method of straightening kinky` or wavy humanhair.

An object ofthe invention is the provision? of a method, wherebythestraightening or altering CJI of the structure of kinky or wavy hairmay be effectually accomplished and so that the hair will bestraightened with a permanent effect.

The invention consists in a methodcharacterized by the novel andimproved featuresillustrat- `ed in the accompanying drawing andhereinafter described and claimed.

1n the drawing:

Figure 1 isa side View of a device used prac- 1 tice of the presentmethod.

Fig. `2 is an enlargedlongitudinal sectionof the device, portionsthereof being broken away;

" Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is a view of one end portionof the flat bar or plate` againstwhich the hair is laid in the `straightening operation. e

The method contemplates the use of a device whose specific features areillustrated in `the drawing by way of example. "The device includesinner and outer tubular metal shells 10 and 11, respectively, each ofwhich is substantially of oval formation with opposite sides practicallyflat. The inner shell 10 constitutes an oven and is longer than theouter shell 11. This outer shell 11 constitutes a cover for an electricheater 12, which is arranged inthe spacepro- `vided betweenthe shells 10and 11. V'I'he heater 12 may be of any suitable type, which has not beenillustrated in detail but which consists of` a shell of mica,heat-resisting and electrical ,insulating cement in `which the heatingelementis embedded, and an outer ,asbestos coveringwhich will bedisposed next tothe outer shell 11. An extension cord 13 having theusual `conductors supplies current to the heater 12. The ends of theouter shell 11 are closed by collars, 14,which are slipped over theinner shell 10 and are fastened to the outer shell 11 in any suitablemanner. These collars are made of a heat-resisting andelectricalinsulating material. The exten# sion cord 13 extends'throughone of `the collars 14,l as shown in Fig. 2.` The device also includes aiiat elongated plate or bar 15 of metal or any` other suitable rigidmaterial. The bari 15`isf a length to extend through the oven providedby i the inner shell 10 and is of a cross-sectional size as to leave aspace surrounding the same when disposed in the oven, which space willbe occupied by the hair and other accessories to be `hereinafterdescribed. The bar 15 has a plurality of notches 16 in one end thereofto receive the cord or string for the purpose of fastening the vhair tothe bar. The manner in which the device is used in accordance with themethod will be described hereinafter.

The present method differs from known methods of straightening kinky or`wavy human hair which rely merely on a softening agent, pulling andstretching the hair, and then applying steam or heat, since it has `beenfound that hair canand stretching, andapplication of steam or heat, butthat the kinks must be ironed out before or notbe straightened simplybya solution, pulling after applyingv the softening agent, and before iapplying heat thereto. In accordance` with the present method, the hairis `iirst soakedwith a solution that penetrates the hair to remove allgrease and oily` substance rand thus soften the hair, after which thehair is dried. After this has been done, a suitable substance is appliedto the hair which acts as a softener and a protector from heat and whichwill not produce` steam i and is secured at the scalp end by tying thesame with a cord-or tape. extended in the notches 16 in the endandfsides of the bar 15, as shown.` Next, the absorbent material isdipped in a solution `containing an ingredient tol cutthe solution`previously used on the hair and` also ingredients to soften the hair.The absorbent material is then `wrapped around the bar15 and the hairlaid against the same in straightened condition.

Nextfa'heat-cnducting material, such as metal foil, is wrapped around onthe absorbent mate# rial in `such manner so that approximately`onequarter inch extends beyond `thebar at the scalp endthereof. A` feltpad is thenslipped over'the wrappings on the bar and is brought incontact with 4the scalp to protect the same from the heat, and aprotecting clip of heat-resisting material is clamped over the wrappingsbeyond` the bar to prevent the heat fromescaping to the scalp. TheovenlOand attached.heater areplaced over the wrapped hair, and the current isturned on. Heat will be applied removing all moisture and acting on thestructure of the, hair whereby it will be changed so that the hair willremain straightened with a permanent effect.

VYVir/'e clairnl 1. The method of straightening kinky human hair whichconsists in ironing out the kinks in the hair, then retaining the hairlaid straight in the ironed condition, and subsequently subject-y ingthe hair to heat.

2. The method of straightening kinky human hair, which consists in rstremoving the natural oil from `the hair, then ironingout the kinks inthe hair,- th'enl retaining the hair laid straight in the ironedcondition, and then subjecting the hair to heat.

3. The method of straightening kinky human' hair which consists inironing out thekinks' iin hair Which consists in ironing out the kinksin the hair, securing the scalp ends of the hair to one end of a rigidflat bar and further retaining the hair laid straight on the bar inironed condition, and then subjecting the hair to heat.

5. The method of straightening kinky human hair which consists inironing out the kinks in the hair, securing the scalp ends of the hairto one end of a rigid nat bar and further retaining the hair' laidstraight on the bar inirone'd condition by Wrapping the hair Withsuitable material carrying a softening agent, and then subjecting thehair to heat.

6. The method of straightening kinky or wavy human hair which includesthe step of ironing 15 out the kinks or Waves in the hair.

ARTHUR L. THOMAS. LILY D. ELLIS.

